Al Wakrah: Culture and Crafts at the Souq

Souq Al Wakrah is a historic landmark for your trip. Cultural experiences from Embrace Doha, based at the souq, complement this focus with personal and hands-on activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Al Wakrah, you might also consider what kind of cultural experience interests you: an insight into clothing and forms of greeting, knowledge about traditional materials and fragrances, or a ceremony centered on Qahwa. The activities vary in format and offer you different ways to explore Qatari culture and regional traditions.

History of Souq Al Wakrah

Souq Al Wakrah was built on the ruins of the old city of Al Wakrah, which is estimated to be more than 200 years old. The souq itself opened in 2016.

Cultural Session and Bakhoor Workshop

At a cultural session from Embrace Doha, guests try on traditional clothing and practise local forms of greeting. The format is designed to introduce visitors to Qatari culture. Clothing and greetings are the focus, setting the session apart from workshops where guests make something themselves. It combines trying on clothing with practising greetings, offering a hands-on introduction to these cultural topics.

A bakhoor-blending workshop takes a different approach. Guests create their own fragrance and also learn about the traditional methods of making bakhoor, its origins and its use in the region. The activity combines hands-on creation with background knowledge. If you are looking for an activity focused on making a fragrance, this is a different option from the cultural session on clothing and forms of greeting.

Sadu and Leatherworking

A Sadu weaving workshop combines learning about a tradition with making a small Sadu textile. In the leatherworking workshop, guests make their own leather item from leather scraps and offcuts. Both activities combine learning with a hands-on component, but differ in their materials and results. You can compare the workshops based on whether you are more interested in Sadu weaving and making a small textile, or in working with leather scraps.

The Qahwa Ceremony

Embrace Doha’s traditional coffee ceremony offers another focus. Guests learn more about the history and traditions of Qahwa, spiced Arabic coffee. Unlike the workshops, the focus here is not on an object made by the guests; instead, the emphasis is on knowledge about coffee and its traditions. This makes the ceremony different from both the cultural session and the hands-on activities.

For the cultural sessions and workshops described here, check current availability with Embrace Doha. If you are looking for hotels, you can choose Al Wakrah as your destination and include your cultural interests in your travel plans.

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